A Deeper Look Into Blogging

Headlines and Hypertext

Overview

Chunking text into smaller paragraphs, along with using subheads, deckheads, and lists will make the reader less likely to skim your blog entries.  Smaller chunks prevent them from skipping longer sections entirely.  A good indicator of when to break up a paragraph is anywhere from 100 to 350 words.  Hyperlinks are also important, so that readers don’t feel limited to only your blog.  Links bring different areas of the Internet right to your reader’ fingertips.  They can also add a sense of transparency when the links confirm or expand upon your ideas.

Key Terms

Hypertext: links allowing the user to go anywhere else on the Internet instantaneously

Chunking: splitting up large texts into smaller paragraphs

Headlines: headings that briefly tell the reader the subject of the article

Hyperlinks

Links change the reader’s experience, allowing them to interact and find other sources. It also allows the user to determine the order that he will read the information.  This is important to consider, especially when you are questioning whether or not you should add a link.  The information needs to have value and add to the subject at hand.

Examples of when to link:

• Sources you cited
• Public records
• Sections of an interview
• Similar stories and information
• Definitions of abstract terms
• Further explanations,
• Multimedia

Readers don’t usually know where the link is taking them .  This can can be both good and bad, depending on if the reader feels the information has helped them learn something new.  A good link shouldn’t interrupt the flow of a sentence.  One of my favorite blogs, Cupcakes and Cashmere, shows exactly how to provide hyperlinks to users.

All links are the same color – Emily is always simple and consistent.

Each link indirectly tells you exactly what you will be clicking.

She tries to keep it short, while ensuring the user knows the subject of the link.

There is no need to be afraid to add links to your blog.  Although a link gives users the option to leave your page, the more helpful they are, the more likely they are to come back. Another benefit of hyperlinking is that sites you link to appreciate the traffic and may link back to you.

Types of Links:

• Embedded links – behind a word, sentence, image that redirects you somewhere else
• Hot areas – multiple links found within an image, depending on where your mouse is
• Inline links – user stays on the same page, information is brought to them (used to display images)
• Anchors – navigational links to another part of the document

Wikipedia does a great job of using anchors.  It allows users to find the specific information that they are looking for.

Headlines and Subheads

Headlines increase the chance of something being read because they help the reader move through the information. Since everyone is scanning– they are more likely to read it in entirety when it is broken up.  Each page has individual header to introduce the topic that the writer is going to discuss. Sub-heads are the next level in layering a blog. They should be added to break up text that is more than 350 words.  They should not repeat what is already in the header – sub-heads need to be brief and beneficial to users. You can even go one step further with sub-sub heads if the text is particularly long. A deckhead, the smaller line under the main headline, can also be included to provide more information about the story.

Qualities of a Good Headline:

• Attracts attention
• Summarizes content
• Helps reader index content
• Depicts tone
• Provides relief

Warning: avoid being cute or using puns! A headline should be direct and informative instead of being entertaining. Keep titles simple to generate more traffic – straightforward, readers will know what you will be talking about – should be intuitive and related to the content.

Fonts

I never thought about the fact that a font could be the difference between a good and bad header. It is actually better to use  sans serif font because it doesn’t have as many curves, which can become pixelated on a computer screen. This is important to consider to be more visually appealing and professional.

Trends in Personal Publishing

Overview

Personal publishing, or more specifically, blogging, is changing media and communication because it allows anyone to partake.  A blog is a means of self-expression.  It can be purely personal, but the most successful usually incorporate both fact and opinion.  Since its emergence, blogging has also evolved to become a community activity, since its interactivity allows for people to communicate, discuss, and share.  Although it may create some tension with journalism, the two can positively work together.

Key Terms

Blogging: short for weblog, which is a website that frequently posts new entries in reverse chronological order

Blogroll: links to other blogs

Blogging

Characteristics:

• Archives
• Permalinks
• Time and date stamps
• Blogrolls
• References

It has allowed everyday people to engage with journalism and news stories.  Not only can they share their opinions, but they can also help ensure the story is as accurate as possible, if they knew some information was wrong.  People are no longer just accepting the news as it comes, but confirming and fighting it if it is wrong.

Blogging vs. Journalism

Many major news distributors and journalists have started blogs, but there are also many ordinary people who have become journalists through their blogging.  However, the majority of these blogging journalists rely on major news sources for their information.I read about this in Socialnomics by Eric Qualman.  People are beginning to seek bloggers over bigger news distributers, because they tend to be experts in their fields.
Journalism:

Purpose: to serve public interest and inform the reader

Goal: be objective, help the everyday person understand what happened

Content is:

• Original
• Accurate
• Verified

Values:

•  Immediacy
• Transparency
• Interconnectivity
• Proximity to event

Blogging:

Purpose: expressing oneself

Goal: react or provide comments or context on news events for readers

Form: commentary or opinion

Content is:

• Original
• Subjective

Values: same as journalism

Blogging vs. Traditional Media

Blogging has many benefits over communicating via print. It allows writers to connect with readers and build a mutual trust.  This allows a community to form where the loyal users and writer can interact. Instead of being limited to a word count or show time, writers can give additional content that helps further understanding.  They do not have the same constraints of print or television. Journalists and writers can continue to express themselves and expand upon the news. Since more information is being shared through blogging, it encourages the discussion of ideas and opinions among users and the writer.

How to Write For a Blog:

1. Post new and original content that discusses already known information
2. Write as though you are having a conversation
3. Let your readers know what you think is important
4. Encourage discussion among your loyal readers through questions
5. Try to establish a loyal following – they will be more willing to interact with you (which will help improve you blog)
6.  Update frequently (almost every other day)
7. Put in reverse chronological order
8. Tag key words to facilitate searching
9. Use simple headlines to layer posts
10. 10. Chunk information into small paragraphs
11. 11. Acknowledge mistakes and make public corrections
12. 12. Explicitly acknowledge if you are being biased

Making it Personal

I plan to improve my blog using the reading for this class.  I’ve tried to incorporate many of the techniques in this entry, but I know that it will take time to become more skilled.  Since we are required to post for class, I don’t think I will have a problem with posting as often as possible.  We usually post every other day.  This was my first entry where I really took a stab at layering – so please give me feedback on how you think I did! I would love any feedback whatsoever, as I’m trying to interact with anyone reading my blog – feedback is really appreciated.

As a major procrastinator, I do want to try to plan a certain time of day to blog, so that it becomes a part of my schedule.  I think an important part of this will be to keep track of things to blog throughout the day. I know I read a lot of articles online, and it would be great if I could provide more examples.  Also regarding examples, I am working on deciding what my particular focus should be.  I would love to talk about something regarding music, but I’m still not sure which area of it.

Since my first entry, I have tried to be genuine and  funny in order to create a unique voice (sorry if I’m ever a bit corny).  I know I need to try to be more consistent with this and not get lost in the academic side of the entry.

My last goal for my next blog entry is to experiment with formatting.  I’m very new to WordPress, and I’m not entirely sure how to play with color and fonts, but I promise I’m doing my research.  Feel free to check out my newly updated About page, where you’ll get a taste you my most recent experimenting.